abowman@ccredc.com

Aaron Bowman is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, decorated Naval Aviator, and civic leader whose career spans military service, nonprofit leadership, and public office. A 1983 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Bowman served 28 years in the U.S. Navy, flying the A-7E Corsair and F/A-18 Hornet. He also served as an instructor in both aircraft, accumulating more than 2,300 flight hours and over 300 carrier landings aboard eight aircraft carriers.

In addition to his operational flying career, Bowman held senior leadership roles in advanced weapons and radar development, serving as both chief engineer and program manager for multiple defense programs. His naval career culminated with his appointment as Commanding Officer of Naval Station Mayport, a position he held from 2007 to 2010.

After retiring from active duty, Bowman continued his service to the Jacksonville, Florida community. He served as Senior Vice President for JAXUSA partnership and led economic development efforts across seven Northeast Florida counties, directing strategy and execution for business relocation, expansion, and retention in targeted industries including financial services, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and health and life sciences. He also served as Executive Director of the United Service Organizations (USO) of Florida, overseeing statewide operations and fundraising while managing seven fixed USO centers in key location such as Jacksonville, Pensacola, Orlando, and Tampa.

Bowman served eight years on the Jacksonville City Council, representing more than 75,000 residents in District 3, and was elected Council President from 2018 to 2019. He holds a Department of Defense Level III Program Management certification and remains a strong advocate for military families and veterans.

He and his wife Deborah have one son, Blaise, a University of Florida graduate and software engineer, and two rescue dogs, Beau and Layla.

Sarah Tindall, COO, has managed Investor Relations and External Affairs for the CCREDC since 2015, successfully doubling the private investment in the organization by engaging local companies in the organization’s mission to bring jobs and investment to the region.

She moved to Corpus Christi in 2005 from her hometown of New Orleans and has worked at the Corpus Christi Caller Times, American Heart Association, and as a development consultant for many local non-profits. She graduated from the University of Dallas with a BA in English and Journalism and has two grown sons with her husband Brad.

Sarah is an active volunteer across the Coastal Bend; she currently serves as Chair of the Incarnate Word Academy board of directors and as a board member for the Del Mar College Foundation, USS Lexington Museum, and the My Town Our Future campaign.

Robert Kelley is CCREDC’s Vice President of Marketing & Attraction for the organization, managing the organization’s programming to secure new capital investment and jobs for the region.

Robert grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, graduating from Richard King high school in 1988. He attended college at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. He began his professional career working for a private corporation in Houston managing corporate recognition and incentive programs for Fortune 500 clients, after which he moved back home to Corpus Christi where he spent 15 years in business development for Reliant Energy's clients in the greater Texas markets. He then spent the past eight years as a consultant in the power market before joining CCREDC.

Robert and his wife Debbi have two daughters in college. Robert enjoys all forms of outdoor activities including sailing, fishing, and hunting, is a past commodore for the Corpus Christi Yacht Club, and enjoys this opportunity to grow the economic success of his hometown.

In her role as the Vice President of Existing Industry and Regional Development, C. Michelle Unda manages our Business Retention and Expansion program, engaging with existing companies in the region, identifying their operational opportunities and challenges while strategically managing projects to drive job creation, payroll growth, and capital investment, as well as overseeing Manufacturing Day Coastal Bend, the Texas Defense Aerospace Manufacturing Community-Coastal Bend and other CCREDC events and activities. 

Michelle previously served as director of communications for the local chamber of commerce, later moving to industry where she spent approx. 15 years working in HR/Public Affairs for a midstream company. She served as the 2023 Winter commencement speaker for Del Mar College, was named 2019 Rising Star by Texas A&M Univ-Kingsville Javelina Alumni Association, 2019 Alumnus of the Year by Leadership Corpus Christi Alumni Association (graduated from LCC XXXVI), March 2019 Mi Casa Su Casa Honoree by the United Corpus Christi Chamber Foundation, 2015 Distinguished Alumni by Del Mar College, and was a 2010 and 2014 Corpus Christi Under 40 Honoree. She enjoys volunteering for our community in numerous capacities; currently serving as a board member for Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend (PR Chair) and the Coastal Bend Community Foundation (Vice Chair) and is a team member of her parish's OCIA program.

Michelle holds a master's degree from the University of St. Francis - Fort Wayne, Indiana in Organizational Leadership as well as a bachelor's degree in communications from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and two associates degrees from Del Mar College in journalism & liberal arts. She and her family enjoy gardening, camping, off-roading, and hiking.